US Space Force readies for first-of-its-kind military exercise in Earth orbit

The United States' military branch for possible conflicts outside the Earth will soon etch history by conducting the first ever in-orbit combat exercise.

Space Force, as per an announcement made by the Space Systems Command (SSC) on Thursday (Apr 11) has signed contracts with two private space companies for its mission codenamed 'Victus Haze' that is slated to happen by no later than fall of the year 2025.

Mission 'Victus Haze'

As per the Space Systems Command, it has signed contracts with Rocket Lab National Security and True Anomaly for providing space vehicles capable of rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), as well as command and control centers, to support mission 'Victus Haze'.

These space vehicles — True Anamoly's 'the Jackal' and an unnamed vehicle from Rocket Lab, "will demonstrate, under operationally realistic conditions, USSpaceForce’s ability to respond to irresponsible behavior on orbit."

As per a Space Force statement, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has awarded a $32 million contract to Rocket Lab National Security. "SpaceWERX will award a contract to True Anomaly," it added.

The mission will require a total of $$60 million, of which the government will fund $30 million, while the remaining $30 million, True Anomaly will leverage from internal private capital.

"The commercial space industry is advancing at an unprecedented pace that will provide the Space Force additional options to quickly respond to adversary aggression," said Lt. Col. MacKenzie Birchenough, SSC's materiel leader for Space Safari.

"VICTUS HAZE will demonstrate and prove capabilities to be used for future TacRS operations in direct support ofurgent Combatant Command on-orbit needs," added Birchenough.

Another SSC official, Col. Bryon McClain, the SSC’s program executive officer for Space Domain Awarenessand Combat Power, added that they "recognise the significant opportunity to leverage the commercial space industry's innovations to counter China as America's pacing threat."

"The United States has the most innovative space industry in the world.VICTUS HAZE will demonstrate, under operationally realistic conditions, our ability to respond to irresponsible behavior on orbit."

(With inputs from agencies)